Is February 2009 the end of GBPVR for me?

[Pilot]

I know this might not initially sound like it should be in the hardware forum, but you'll see that it should be.

Here's my current situation:

- Reside in the USA
- No problems with a rather overpowered and dedicated HTPC (although it could probably use a storage upgrade)
- 1 PVR150 and 1 PVR500 (for a total of three ANALOG tuners)
- The worst cable provider on the planet -- Comcrap...I mean, Comcast
- I have not really pursued any HD recording because Comcast currently provides ZERO clear QAM and I didn't want to mess with ATSC, antennas, etc.

Here's my problem/dilemma:

Comcast has already started bumping up a lot of their basic cable channels up into the "Digital Package" that they offer only at a significant price increase and it requires use of one of their stupid STBs (which is an additional $5/month). Four out of five of my TVs have digital tuners, but again I still won't be able to get some of the digital channels because Comcast is greedy and has limited access to these previously "basic" channels to those customers with STB's. The FAF (Family Acceptance Factor) is now at an all-time low because the latest channel to go digital is Cartoon Network, so my children missed the second to the last episode Total Drama Island. This is a serious problem (for them and therefore me). This is annoying to me because I've never had to use a STB before and I don't really feel like renting three STB's from Comcast for $15/month in order to cover all three of my GBPVR tuners. I know that in February 2009, I'm screwed with the tuner cards that I have because they're analog, but I didn't expect for Comcast to start the conversion 3 months early.

Here's my question:

Is there any GBPVR solution that can help me? You have to understand, my wife is looking at me with that Tivo or Comcast DVR look in her eyes (even though my wonderful GBPVR system has served her very well for years now!), so I really need a viable solution.

Here's what I was thinking:

Replace my PVR150 and PVR500 with two HVR1600 cards. I could use the digital side of each card to record whatever digital channels that Comcast decides to allow me to access without a STB, and then maybe hook up one STB to the analog tuner on one of the HVR1600's for access to the other channels.

Would this work like I'm thinking, and even if it would work would be relatively simple to configure and maintain (by that I mean like my current 3-tuner configuration, which I consider a simple setup and it has been relatively easy to maintain) or would it be a kludge solution that would require frequent tinkering (like every time the stupid Comcast channel lineup changes, which is often) and an unreliable success rate for recording?

I'm really hoping to keep GBPVR, but the combination of this stupid DTV thing and Comcast is really messing that up for me. I've come to value the opinion and expertise of the members here, and would appreciate any advice you can offer.

Thanks!

[whurlston]

First of all, February 2009 is the Over The Air analog shut off. It does not affect cable whatsoever. Cable can broadcast analog until 2011 or later. You will continue to receive your analog cable in March.

Second, you will most likely not receive all the digital channels that you are currently receiving in analog with cable. Most cable companies encrypt all digital channels except the locals.

[dark_half]

Like whurlston said you will still receive analog on cable after the Feb. change. However I think most cable companies are starting to move the "Expanded Basic" channels to digital to free up bandwith to compete with Dish/Direct TV. They want to be able to use the recovered bandwith for more HD's and digital channels. I think before to long the only thing that will be analog will be basic only(locals) which I belive thet are required to carry in analog till 2012.

[Pilot]

Thanks for the responses, whurlston and dark half.

So, judging by both your answers, I guess I can assume that GBPVR will become relatively useless to me unless I'm recording something on NBC, CBS, ABC, or Fox. Otherwise, I'm stuck involving a STB which can rather complicate things both hardware wise as well as financially. This is very disappointing. It will be very difficult to sell the idea to the wife of a more complicated GBPVR system requiring at least two STBs at $10 additional per month and multiple points of possible failure over the $13 per month two-tuner DVR that is seamlessly integrated and far less complicated.

Well, I guess I better enjoy my GBPVR system while I can. It's been a lot of fun and a great system. Now if only a better cable company would come along and make all of this just a bad dream....

[whurlston]

It depends on when your cable company stops broadcasting the channels in analog. I am pretty sure it won't be for a couple of years though.

[capone]

I have Comcast w/o a cable box and a PVR150, and don't plan on doing anything when the switch happens, because I don't need to. If they move something like Comedy Central up to something that requires me to get digital cable, I'll upgrade and start using the IR Blaster.

I'm not worrying about getting a PVR1600 until I get a HD set, and want to start watching the HD channels.

[TonyXL]

It's a pain that your analog cable is going away, even though it has nothing to do with the Feb 2009 date). Comcast can fit 6 digital channels in place of 1 analog, so it make sense for them. So sooner or later you'll need STBs.

That said, I would go ahead and get the Comcast STBs, connect them to your PVR cards using S-video and RCA audio, and use IR blasters. I've recently made the same change. My recording quality has improved because the digital channel output via s-video was better than the slightly static-ey analog feed. Yes, channel change is slower, but only 1-2 seconds more.

The IR blaster situation may be complicated with 3 STBs. Do you have the Hauppauge remote/blasters or the MCE remote/blasters?



P.S. I wish cable companies would put their basic cable channels (i.e., ESPN, TNT, etc.) on clear QAM. I pay $13/month for 3 STBs; I would gladly pay $20 month for basic channels in the clear and no STBs. This would be more profitable for them and would make my life easier.

[mkenyon2]

I am (if I understood the guy correctly) going to be getting a STB for what should be digital channels. I haven't gotten a Digital Card yet, but would like to.

I was thinking the 2250, to get 2 digital (or 2 analog) connections to replace my 1 analog connection, but I'm thinking now the 1600 might be the way, so I don't lose my analog and get to 'try' digital.

[khaver]

Here in Salem, OR, Comacast is moving their Expanded Basic to Digital in January. Channels 2-32 will remain analog for Basic service. For Expanded Basic customers they are providing 2 free Digital Terminals and 1 free STB. When I went to get my DTs for my analog TVs I told them I also have an HDTV. He said I should be fine without a STB using ClearQAM. I hope he's right. The only problem now with clearQAM is remembering the station numbers. History Channel is 104.311

If cable stations stay with ClearQAM for basic service, I'll bet in a few years or less we'll see TV's that can map the stations to any number similar to the way you can do it in GBPVR.

[pcostanza]

I think Cox is moving in the other direction and will offer less QAM. They get very quiet when you ask about QAM like it's a state secret.
I don't think you'll see much difference in cable companies concerning analog for a long while. I think because we're a relatively poor populated area, we may see it longer than other parts of the country.
This week, the local stations began shutting off analog for 60 seconds about once a day so you can find out if you're ready or not. I find that hilarious.